The auction will be back next year. It was one of the victims of the space shortage this year due to construction.

I think the PTB may have gotten the message about the amplified swing band at the party, too. With 60 people on the boat at its peak, and about five couples on the dance floor, it was pretty clear that the demand was for jamming and singing.

It's also important to recognize that there's more than one group of singers at that party--the hardcore shantey singers, who gravitate to the boat, and another group that wants to do quieter songs and chorus songs that aren't shanties. It's no more fair to lump them all together than to put the bluegrassers in the same space as the old-timey jam sessions or the celtic sessions.

I don't want to give away any details yet, but I have a go-ahead to organize a special event for next year that may involve some names that are familiar to folks reading this. More information as it moves forward.